BIOTECHNOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION POTENTIAL OF Inga edulis Martius: SEEDS COLLECTED IN THE AMAZON, BRAZIL

Abstract

Inga edulis Martius is a native species of the Amazon Forest with great potential for urban afforestation in the cities of the Brazilian Amazon and widely used for the recovery of degraded areas. It is commonly cultivated by the Amazonian population for its edible fruit, quality wood, and excellent agroforestry components. This study aimed to select the matrices and obtain information about the behavior of the seeds in terms of drying, biometry, purity and germination, and chemical composition. Carbohydrates were analyzed by using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography, proteins by using Elemental Analysis, and inorganic composition by using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy. The seeds collected in the environmental education action were recognized about potentialities of use for biotechnological products and environmental protection. The exploitation of this species’ seeds is appealing due to their inorganic composition (N 20.4 g/kg, P 1.71 g/kg, and others) and organic content (20.1% protein and 58% carbohydrates), as well as their potential for forest integration. The seeds exhibited a quality suitable for cultivation in nurseries, including in school settings. Inga edulis is recognized in the literature for its various uses, although these are not directly related to seed exploitation. I. edulis seedlings in the schools contribute to environmental education as a sustainable practice with biotechnological potential for the Amazon region.